Media & Entertainment Accounting Software | Gravity Software

Accounting software for growing media and entertainment organizations

Accounting software for growing media and entertainment organizations

Media and entertainment organizations often manage multiple companies, productions, locations, and business units, creating complex accounting and financial reporting requirements. As these organizations grow, managing intercompany transactions, consolidating financial statements, and maintaining visibility across operations can become increasingly challenging.

Gravity Software provides cloud-based, multi-entity accounting software designed to help media and entertainment businesses manage their financial operations within a centralized accounting platform. For organizations using specialized production accounting systems, Gravity can support corporate financial management through journal entry imports and other supported data exchange methods, allowing businesses to retain their existing production systems.

Built on the Microsoft Power Platform, Gravity enables organizations to streamline intercompany accounting, automate financial consolidations, and analyze financial performance across entities, departments, and business units.

Whether you're managing a broadcasting group, television production company, media holding company, or entertainment organization, Gravity Software helps your finance team reduce manual processes, improve reporting accuracy, and gain greater visibility into financial performance.

Why media and entertainment accounting becomes more complex

Why media and entertainment accounting becomes more complex

As media and entertainment organizations expand, managing financial operations across multiple entities, productions, and business units becomes increasingly challenging. Traditional accounting systems often require separate company databases, manual intercompany entries, and time-consuming financial consolidations, making it difficult to maintain accurate financial information and visibility across the organization.

Key accounting challenges for media and entertainment organizations

Managing multiple entities: Broadcasting groups, media holding companies, and production organizations often operate multiple legal entities that require separate financial records and consolidated reporting.
Complex intercompany transactions: Shared services, centralized expenses, and transactions between related companies can create additional reconciliation and reporting work.
Tracking shared expenses: Allocating costs across companies, departments, and productions can become difficult without consistent accounting structures.
Managing separate accounting systems: Media and entertainment organizations may use specialized production accounting software alongside corporate financial systems, creating additional work when transferring transactions, reconciling information, and preparing financial reports.
Managing international entities and currencies: Media and entertainment organizations operating internationally may need to manage multiple functional currencies, foreign currency transactions, and consolidated financial reporting across countries.
Time-consuming financial consolidations: Combining financial results across multiple companies can require manual processes, spreadsheets, and adjustments.
Limited financial visibility: Finance teams need to analyze revenue, expenses, and profitability across entities, departments, business units, and productions.
Supporting organizational growth: Adding new entities, acquiring media businesses, or expanding operations can increase accounting complexity.

Gravity Software helps media and entertainment organizations address these challenges with centralized multi-entity accounting, automated intercompany processing, financial consolidations, and dimensional reporting—all within a single accounting platform.

Simplify intercompany accounting and consolidated reporting

Simplify intercompany accounting and consolidated reporting

Film reel and filmstrip icon representing intercompany accounting and consolidated financial reporting for media and entertainment organizations.

For media and entertainment organizations managing multiple legal entities, intercompany transactions and financial consolidations can become increasingly complex. Shared production expenses, corporate overhead, management fees, and transactions between subsidiaries often require additional accounting entries, reconciliations, and manual reporting.

Gravity Software helps streamline these processes with automated intercompany accounting and consolidated financial reporting. Finance teams can manage transactions across related companies, maintain accurate entity-level financial records, and generate consolidated financial statements without relying on separate accounting databases or extensive spreadsheet work.

By reducing manual intercompany processing and simplifying financial consolidations, Gravity Software helps media and entertainment finance teams spend less time reconciling transactions and more time analyzing financial performance.

How Gravity simplifies intercompany accounting and financial consolidations

1

Automated intercompany transactions

Record transactions between related entities with corresponding due-to and due-from entries, reducing manual journal entries and reconciliation work.

2

Shared expense allocations

Distribute corporate overhead, vendor invoices, and other shared expenses across multiple companies using defined allocation methods.

3

Consolidated financial statements

Generate consolidated financial reports across subsidiaries, holding companies, and other legal entities while maintaining individual company financial records.

4

Intercompany eliminations

Simplify consolidation adjustments by eliminating qualifying intercompany balances and transactions from consolidated financial statements.

5

Multi-currency consolidations

Support organizations with international subsidiaries and multiple functional currencies through currency translation and consolidated financial reporting.

6

Consistent financial reporting

Use standardized accounting structures and financial reporting tools to improve consistency across entities and provide leadership with reliable financial information.

Track financial performance across entities and productions

Track financial performance across entities and productions

Media and entertainment organizations need more than consolidated financial statements. Finance teams also need to understand how individual companies, departments, business units, and productions contribute to overall financial performance.

Gravity Software's dimensional reporting capabilities help organizations analyze revenue, expenses, and profitability across different areas of the business without maintaining separate charts of accounts for every reporting requirement. By configuring financial dimensions around their operations, media and entertainment organizations can gain more detailed insights while maintaining consistent financial reporting.

Using financial dimensions to track productions, departments, and business units allows finance teams to analyze performance without creating separate general ledger accounts for every reporting requirement. Learn more about dimensional accounting vs. traditional charts of accounts and how this approach supports more flexible financial reporting.

How Gravity improves financial visibility for media and entertainment organizations

Production-level financial reporting: Track revenue and expenses associated with individual productions or projects using configured financial dimensions.
Department and business unit reporting: Analyze financial performance across broadcasting operations, production departments, corporate services, and other business units.
Entity-level profitability analysis: Compare revenue, expenses, and financial results across subsidiaries and legal entities.
Flexible financial reporting: Create financial reports that combine entities, accounts, and dimensions to support different management reporting requirements.
Budget-to-actual comparisons: Monitor financial performance against budgets by entity, department, or other configured reporting dimensions.
Business intelligence and Power BI analytics: Use Microsoft Power BI to create dashboards and visualizations that help identify financial trends, compare performance across entities and departments, and uncover insights to support better business decisions.

With greater financial visibility and business intelligence capabilities, media and entertainment organizations can identify trends, monitor expenses, evaluate profitability, and make more informed decisions across their operations.

Manage multiple entities, productions, and business units

Manage multiple entities, productions, and business units

Red video player icon representing multi-entity accounting across media companies, productions, and business units.

Media and entertainment organizations often operate multiple legal entities, subsidiaries, production companies, and business units. Managing financial information across these operations can become complicated when accounting systems require separate databases, duplicate data entry, and manual reporting.

Gravity Software's multi-entity accounting software enables media and entertainment organizations to manage multiple companies within a single database while maintaining separate financial records for each entity. Finance teams can streamline accounting processes, improve reporting consistency, and gain greater visibility as their organizations expand.

How Gravity supports multi-entity media and entertainment accounting

1

Centralized financial management

Manage multiple companies, subsidiaries, and legal entities within one accounting platform without switching between separate company databases.

2

Entity-level financial reporting

Maintain separate financial records and generate financial statements for individual companies or across the organization.

3

Intercompany accounting

Distribute shared expenses and vendor invoices across multiple entities while Gravity automatically creates the corresponding due-to and due-from entries, reducing manual intercompany accounting work.

4

Consolidated financial reporting

Combine financial results across subsidiaries, holding companies, and other legal entities, including organizations operating in multiple currencies, to provide leadership with a clearer view of overall financial performance.

5

Dimensional reporting

Track revenue and expenses by department, business unit, location, or production using configured financial dimensions to gain greater insight into organizational performance.

6

Scalable accounting operations

Add new entities as your media or entertainment organization grows without implementing a separate accounting system for each company.

Media and entertainment organizations Gravity Software supports

Media and entertainment organizations Gravity Software supports

Media and entertainment organizations operate across a wide range of business models, from broadcasting groups and production companies to media holding companies and entertainment businesses. Although their operations differ, many share similar financial challenges involving multiple legal entities, intercompany transactions, financial reporting, and organizational growth.

Gravity Software provides flexible, multi-entity accounting capabilities that help these organizations manage corporate financial operations, maintain visibility across business units, and support evolving accounting requirements.

Broadcasting and television groups

Manage accounting across multiple stations, subsidiaries, and business units while simplifying intercompany transactions and consolidated financial reporting.

Film and television production companies

Manage corporate accounting across production entities and subsidiaries while retaining specialized production accounting systems when needed.

Media holding companies

Maintain financial records across subsidiaries, manage shared expenses, and consolidate financial results across the organization.

Digital media and content companies

Track financial performance across legal entities, departments, and business units as operations expand.

Entertainment management companies

Manage financial operations across multiple companies, departments, and business activities with consistent reporting and financial controls.

International media organizations

Support accounting across entities operating in multiple currencies, including currency translation and consolidated financial reporting.

Connect accounting with existing business systems

Connect accounting with existing business systems

Media and entertainment organizations often use specialized software for production management, payroll, expense tracking, and other operational activities. When upgrading their corporate accounting system, these businesses need a solution that can work alongside existing applications without disrupting established production workflows.

Gravity Software supports financial data imports, Microsoft-powered automation, and integrations with supported business applications. This flexibility helps media and entertainment finance teams bring financial information into their accounting processes while continuing to use specialized production and operational systems.

How Gravity connects financial and operational workflows

Production accounting and management systems: Import journal entries from specialized production systems to incorporate relevant financial information into corporate accounting and consolidated reporting, subject to compatible exports and data mapping.
Ramp expense management: Use Gravity's supported Ramp integration to streamline expense management and reduce manual transaction entry.
Payroll and operational systems: Bring financial information from existing payroll and operational applications into Gravity through supported imports or configured integrations.
Microsoft Power Automate: Create workflows that connect Gravity with supported applications, automate repetitive accounting tasks, and support approval processes.
Microsoft 365 connectivity: Work with familiar applications such as Excel and Outlook to support financial reporting, data management, and collaboration.

By supporting existing business applications and flexible financial data exchange, Gravity Software helps media and entertainment organizations modernize corporate accounting while maintaining the specialized systems their teams rely on.

Microsoft-powered accounting, automation, and security

Microsoft-powered accounting, automation, and security

Media and entertainment organizations need accounting software that supports financial growth while maintaining security, operational efficiency, and access to reliable financial information. As businesses expand across subsidiaries, production companies, and international operations, finance teams need technology that can support increasingly complex accounting requirements.

Gravity Software uses Microsoft Dataverse and Azure to support secure, cloud-based financial management across multiple entities. With Microsoft 365, Power BI, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Power Automate, finance teams can strengthen financial controls, streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and gain deeper insights into financial performance.

Managing expenses across multiple companies and business units requires consistent financial controls and efficient approval processes. Gravity Software helps finance teams streamline transaction approvals, reduce manual follow-up, and improve accountability. Learn how automated expense approval workflows can support more efficient financial operations.

How Microsoft's technology supports media and entertainment accounting

Scalable cloud accounting: Support growing media and entertainment organizations with cloud-based financial management that provides access to financial information across multiple entities and business units.
Role-based and entity-level security: Control access to financial information based on user responsibilities and assigned companies, helping protect sensitive accounting data.
Accounting workflow automation: Use configurable approval workflows and Microsoft Power Automate to reduce repetitive tasks and streamline financial processes.
Microsoft 365 Copilot: Use natural language capabilities to interact with supported financial information and assist with accounting-related questions and analysis.
Power BI financial analytics: Create financial dashboards and visualizations to analyze performance across companies, departments, and other reporting dimensions.
Audit trails and financial controls: Maintain visibility into accounting activity through audit trails, user permissions, and established financial approval processes.

With Microsoft-powered technology and Gravity Software's multi-entity accounting capabilities, media and entertainment organizations can strengthen financial controls, improve operational efficiency, and support growth without relying on disconnected accounting systems.

Media and entertainment accounting success story

Media and entertainment accounting success story

Matt Arnold, Controller/Treasurer at SagamoreHill Broadcasting, featured in Gravity Software’s media and entertainment accounting customer success story.

How SagamoreHill Broadcasting streamlined accounting across 25 entities

SagamoreHill Broadcasting operates 13 television stations across the United States and manages 25 legal entities. As the organization expanded, its finance team outgrew QuickBooks Online and faced increasing challenges with intercompany transactions, manual reconciliations, and consolidated financial reporting.

After implementing Gravity Software, SagamoreHill centralized accounting across all 25 entities, streamlined intercompany processes, and reduced its reliance on spreadsheets. The finance team now has greater visibility into financial performance across its broadcasting operations.

Key results:

Streamlined intercompany reconciliations across 25 entities.
Accelerated month-end close and consolidated reporting.
Reduced manual spreadsheet work and duplicate data entry.
Improved real-time financial visibility across 13 television stations.

“Gravity Software gives us the scalability and automation we need to keep up with our growth and complexity. It’s a system built for organizations like ours.”

Matt Arnold
Controller/Treasurer, SagamoreHill Broadcasting

Read the SagamoreHill Broadcasting customer story

How to choose media and entertainment accounting software

How to choose media and entertainment accounting software

Choosing the right accounting software is an important decision for media and entertainment organizations managing multiple legal entities, production companies, and business units. As operations grow, finance teams need a solution that simplifies financial management, supports existing business systems, and provides accurate reporting across the organization.

When evaluating media and entertainment accounting software, organizations should consider how well the system handles multi-entity accounting, intercompany transactions, financial consolidations, and reporting requirements. The right solution should also support future growth without requiring additional accounting databases or extensive manual processes.

Key features to look for in media and entertainment accounting software

Multi-entity accounting: Manage multiple legal entities, subsidiaries, and production companies within a centralized accounting system while maintaining separate financial records.
Automated intercompany accounting: Streamline transactions between related companies, including shared expenses, management fees, and due-to and due-from entries.
Consolidated financial reporting: Generate consolidated financial statements across subsidiaries and business units without relying on manual spreadsheet consolidations.
Dimensional financial reporting: Analyze revenue, expenses, and profitability by entity, department, location, production, or other configured reporting dimensions.
Integration flexibility: Evaluate the ability to exchange financial information with existing production accounting, payroll, expense management, and operational systems.
Multi-currency capabilities: Support international entities, foreign currency transactions, currency translation, and consolidated financial reporting.
Financial controls and security: Look for role-based permissions, entity-level security, approval workflows, and audit trails to protect financial information.
Scalability and automation: Choose accounting software that can accommodate additional companies, acquisitions, and growing transaction volumes while reducing repetitive accounting work.

For media and entertainment organizations outgrowing QuickBooks or managing accounting across disconnected systems, Gravity Software provides multi-entity financial management, automated intercompany accounting, consolidated reporting, and Microsoft-powered capabilities to support growing financial operations.

Media and entertainment accounting resources and case studies

Media and entertainment accounting resources and case studies

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Explore these resources to learn more about accounting for media and entertainment companies, including special purpose entity (SPE) accounting, multi-entity financial management, consolidated reporting, and accounting automation. Discover practical guidance to help your organization strengthen financial controls, modernize accounting processes, and support future growth.

Entertainment accounting

Explore the key accounting challenges entertainment companies face, including budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, and managing multiple entities.

SPE accounting

Learn how special purpose entities are used in entertainment and broadcasting, including financial reporting, shared expenses, and consolidation considerations.

Consolidated financial reporting

Discover how broadcasting groups and media organizations can simplify financial reporting and gain visibility across multiple legal entities.

Accounting data security

Explore how cloud accounting security, user permissions, and financial controls help protect sensitive financial information across media companies.

Outgrowing QuickBooks

Explore five signs your growing media or entertainment business may have outgrown QuickBooks and needs more scalable accounting software.

Microsoft 365 Copilot

Discover how Microsoft 365 Copilot helps finance teams access financial information, analyze performance, and improve productivity with Gravity Software.

Frequently asked questions about media and entertainment accounting software

Frequently asked questions about media and entertainment accounting software

Media and entertainment organizations face unique accounting challenges as they manage multiple companies, productions, and business operations. The following frequently asked questions address common considerations when evaluating accounting software, including financial reporting, production accounting systems, and managing organizational growth.

What is media and entertainment accounting software?

Media and entertainment accounting software helps broadcasting companies, production businesses, media holding companies, and entertainment organizations manage financial transactions, reporting, and accounting operations. Depending on the solution, capabilities may include multi-entity accounting, consolidated financial reporting, expense management, budgeting, and financial analysis.

What is the best accounting software for media and entertainment companies?

The best accounting software depends on an organization's size, business structure, and financial requirements. Media and entertainment companies managing multiple legal entities should evaluate solutions that support consolidated financial reporting, financial controls, automation, and existing business systems. Gravity Software is designed for growing organizations that need centralized multi-entity financial management.

Can media and entertainment companies use different software for production and corporate accounting?

Yes. Media and entertainment organizations can retain specialized production accounting or management systems while using a separate platform for corporate accounting. Gravity Software supports journal entry imports and other supported data exchange methods, allowing financial information from compatible systems to be incorporated into corporate accounting and reporting.

Can Gravity Software help media companies manage multiple legal entities?

Yes. Gravity Software allows organizations to manage multiple legal entities within a single database while maintaining separate financial records for each company. Finance teams can generate individual and consolidated financial statements, manage transactions across related companies, and add entities as their organizations grow.

How can media and entertainment companies improve financial visibility across productions?

Media and entertainment companies can improve financial visibility by organizing financial information around entities, departments, productions, and other reporting categories. Gravity Software supports configurable financial dimensions, flexible financial reporting, and Power BI analytics to help finance teams analyze expenses, profitability, and financial performance.

When should a media or entertainment company replace QuickBooks?

A media or entertainment company may need to move beyond QuickBooks when managing multiple entities requires separate company files, manual consolidations, repetitive intercompany entries, or extensive spreadsheet reporting. Organizations experiencing these challenges should evaluate accounting software designed to support multi-entity financial management and organizational growth.

Simplify media and entertainment accounting with Gravity Software

As your media and entertainment organization grows, managing financial operations across multiple companies, subsidiaries, and business units shouldn't become more complicated. Gravity Software helps finance teams reduce manual accounting processes, improve financial reporting, and gain greater visibility across their organizations.

Whether you're replacing QuickBooks, modernizing corporate accounting, or preparing for future growth, schedule a demo to see how Gravity Software can simplify financial management across your media and entertainment organization.

Want a quick overview first? Watch our 11-minute demo highlights below to explore Gravity Software's multi-entity accounting, financial reporting, automation, and Microsoft-powered capabilities.